My Experiences with the Hawaii Earthquake and What I Should Tell You

My Experiences with the Hawaii Earthquake and What I Should Tell You
by: Sensei J. Richard Kirkham B.Sc.

Aloha everyone from Oahu

My family is safe and sound. On Sunday October 15th 2006 at 7:08 AM I was lying in bed when I felt a vibration. For some reason I recall thinking there must be something wrong with the washer and dryer downstairs from our apartment. One minute later another vibration occurred and I sat up. My wife came into the bedroom and asked me if I felt that. I replied yeah and she said she thought it was an earthquake. Less than two minutes later our power went out.

Jan said she saw lights in the other building so I continued with our plans to take the family to breakfast as Pagoda Restaurant near downtown Honolulu. Then I started seeing something very dangerous when one knows what idiots drivers can be. The traffic lights were out. I only saw one light out so I continued until getting stuck on several major intersections with no traffic lights. What a bunch of morons, and yes we can include me in that group for not turning around and going home at the first light, people were driving through the blacked out light as though they had a free pass instead of treating it like a stop sign.

Lesson: Stay home

Finally making it to Pagoda restaurant, wondering if they were even open by now, my family and I parked to assess the situation. It seemed a bus driver had dropped a bunch of tourists off at the restaurant which turned out to be closed. My compliments to the restaurant. The provided free coffee and danishes to everyone. Pagoda Restaurant really shined during such a dark time.

We worked our way back home. Other drivers had woken up to what they were supposed to do at a blacked out signal light and just a few of them were playing chicken with all the good drivers. My wife changed the batteries in our portable radio

Lesson: Have plenty of batteries on hand

KSSK radio did a great job keeping people informed so the city officials contacted KSSK along with using the Civil Defense announcements. All in all the information from KSSK radio was essential.

Lesson: Get a radio with batteries

According to our Governor, she was on the big island (Hawaii) when the 6.5 earthquake hit. She stood in her door frame and watched her TV set get tossed across the room. Upon the second quake the hotel she was staying at was evacuated.

Lesson: Get in the door frame which is well supported if you can't get out away from falling debris.

Although the phone lines were working via radio city officials suggested not using the phones except for emergencies. I was staying off my cell phone in case I need to keep it charged. Most people have cordless phones now. My wife's cell phone was almost dead.

Lesson: Get one of those cheap phones that plugs into the wall.

On Oahu we found out power had to be restored slowly over the entire island and most of the state. We were told the water ran to us via gravity and to refill they had to use electric pumps. Some pumps didn't have electric generators to pump the water. We were told via KSSK to use water sparingly and use bottled water if possible. Now, I had a problem with that. I told my family don't do dishes don't shower, but for cooking and drinking I wasn't going to use up all our bottled water and then run out of city water. So we used the city water for cooking and drinking and saved our bottled water in case we lost the city water.

Lesson: Keep a good supply of bottled water

Getting dark now. My wife decided to fix dinner. We have an electric stove, but she had a propane driven stove used for camping. So she fixed spam, pees and rice. Spam is s staple here. Being an old Illinois boy I was surprised to see it on menus at restaurants. Our neighbors were cooking out on their drill.

Lesson: Make sure you have an alternative means to cook meals for your family

We turned on the high powered flashlights we had so we could see. The radio advised against using candles and I agreed. My son seven year old son Hunter played with the flashlight in all kinds of ways I'd have never thought of before. From hand puppets, which he was quite good at to telling us to close our eyes then covering the flashlight with a towel so he “magically” disappeared.

Lesson: Keep high powered flashlights. Keep working batteries in them since it's hard to change batteries in the dark.

KKSK reported power coming on a little at a time. 20,000 homes out of over 800,000 had power in them. This was going to take all night. For some reason, though almost all businesses were closed, there were people lined up three blocks down to buy gas at the one station that was open. Whey they thought they needed to buy gas when their safest place to be was home I'll never figure out.

Lesson: It costs just as much to fill the top of the gas tank as it does the bottom.

Another huge line was for a place selling huli huli (flip flip) chicken. The traffic got so jammed up one motorcycle officer told the people to stop selling chicken or he'd arrest them. This according to KSSK caller at the place selling the chicken. That was straightened out and hungry people were still allowed to buy chicken.

Lesson: Keep a good supply of canned goods and other staples.

Our own power came back on about 11:00 PM. We were all actually asleep when the power came back on. The city officials had recommended turning off the water heater to help keep the circuits from overloading so we turned that back on in the morning.

Not everything, as of the next morning (this morning) was completed by the city. There were still some traffic lights flashing and a few were still out. Police were directing traffic on some places but the morons who didn't care for other people managed to find the other lights and risk everyone else's lives' by not being courteous drivers. Most people tried to be courteous towards other however and Hawaii drivers do seem to be more courteous than other states I've vistied. I recall my first day here being surprised when someone let on the highway and I got on it from the short on ramp.

This really could have gone a lot worse. Imagine the same morons with no signal lights during rush hour traffic on a Friday. Imagine people during rush hour traffic and no signal lights trying to get to the stores and gas stations and hospitals not thinking about the traffic but concerned for their families. One broken arm, according to reports I heard, was all that happened during this whole thing. We were lucky.

Now I have a question for you, since I know most of this is going in one ear and out the other. What is the difference between those unprepared people and you? They didn't think it would ever happen to them either. They kept meaning to prepare, but had more important things to do.

Lesson: Prepare for an emergency before the emergency

About The Author
J. Richard Kirkham is a dual certified teacher and martial arts instructor. He's a writer currently residing in Honolulu with his wife Jan and son Hunter. Please visit his website at KirkhamsEbooks.com.

Hawaii Cruise - Travel by Land or Sea?

Hawaii Cruise - Travel by Land or Sea?
by: Jeremy Thompson

So, you want to plan a trip to Hawaii. There are lots of options to consider when planning your vacation and they may seem overwhelming. A good starting point might be to think about how you are planning to arrive in this tropical paradise. Since Hawaii is, after all, an island there are only two ways to get there: by sea or by air. When calculating time from California, your choice is between five hours in the air or five days by sea. Now, I know there's a big difference in time, but a Hawaii cruise might be just the excitement and relaxation you're looking for.

Depending on your preference of travel, a Hawaii cruise might sound much more appealing to you than traveling by plane. It is inevitable that every time you step onto an airplane, even if you did pay top dollar for first class, you find yourself in an overcrowded area, in close quarters with several hundred people, many who are possibly ill.

You probably do everything you can, short of jump off the plane, to pass the grueling five hours. Then once you're off the plane you spend another hour or more enduring airport security and looking for your luggage before you even begin the trip to your hotel. Wow, doesn't sound like a great way to start a relaxing vacation. And just think, you get to do it all over again at the end of your trip, too.

Now, visualize yourself heading to your departure point and arriving right at your hotel. No long security lines, no crowded planes. When you travel by ship on a Hawaii cruise it's just like checking into your hotel and relaxing while you head to your destination. You can put your luggage in your room and head straight to the pool deck, enjoy a cocktail, and spend the first five hours of your vacation basking in the tropical sun rather than dodging someone else's germs.

When it comes down to it there's really no comparison. I know I would much rather spend my vacation to Hawaii relaxing on a cruise ship than wasting it in an airport. You will return home relaxed and calm from a week of pampering and luxury instead of stressed to the max from a long flight. The choice is yours, spend you days and nights in a luxurious room, enjoying delicious meals on a cruise ship of your preference, and you will truly enjoy your getaway to the paradise of the Hawaiian islands.

About The Author
Jeremy Thompson is the author of CruiseHawaiiVacations.com your online guide to Hawaii vacations and Hawaii cruises. His fun filled site is filled with great information about Hawaii vacations and cruises. Check it out at Cruise Hawaii Vacations.

Get Started Planning Your Hawaii Vacation

Get Started Planning Your Hawaii Vacation
by: Jeremy Thompson

Hawaii is by far one of the most popular tourist destinations around. If you're dreaming of a Hawaii vacation or already starting to plan one you'll need to do your research to find out all of the available options for fun in the sun. There are a variety of Hawaii vacations available to suit the needs of everyone's style, budget and preferences, and length of stay in the beautiful island state.

When going on a Hawaii vacation many tourists choose vacations focused on the beach. After all, Hawaii boasts its stunning, white-sand beaches. The island of Maui alone has 80 beautiful beaches along 120 miles of coastline while Oahu has 130 beaches. Whether you want to relax in the sand soaking up some sun, swim, or even go snorkeling, Hawaii offers many opportunities for underwater and above-water activities.

Snorkeling is one of the must-do activities on any Hawaii vacation. Hawaiian snorkeling is great for swimmers of any level and gives you a glorious fish's-eye view of the numerous unique, colorful fish and exotic underwater sea life. Rental shops on the beaches have snorkeling equipment available for a small fee per day, while many resorts offer equipment free of charge.

There are a variety of other fun Hawaii vacation activities to choose from after you are done snorkeling. As you plan your days in paradise you will want to plan ahead and decide which sound most appealing to you. Other water activities include surfing, parasailing, and sailing. Many tourists surf for their very first time off the coast of one of Hawaii's beaches. Skilled surfers often come back to Hawaii time after time to catch some of the world's best waves and highest surfs.

If you're not into water activities you may want to consider adding some of Hawaii's other amazing attractions to your itinerary. Nature lovers will enjoy Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. As you drive or even hike through the park you'll catch breathtaking views of Kilauea, Mauna Loa, Steaming Bluff, and Devastation Trail. Majestic waterfalls can also be seen on your trek through this popular park.

For a taste of culture on your Hawaii vacation there are some marvelous places you won't want to miss. Learn about Hawaii's history at the Polynesian Culture Center or experience some American history at Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial. You won't want to miss a traditional Hawaiian luau complete with Hawaiian food, music, and dancing.

About The Author
Jeremy Thompson is the author of CruiseHawaiiVacations.com your online guide to Hawaii vacations and Hawaii cruises. His fun filled site is filled with great information about Hawaii vacations and cruises. Check it out at Cruise Hawaii Vacations.

Be Assured of an Insured Aloha

Be Assured of an Insured Aloha
by: Steve Cogger

As a U.S. citizen, Hawaii travel insurance is not going to involve concerns about health insurance. If you're already covered with health insurance on your home turf, you will likely be covered in Hawaii. What you're going to want to look for in Hawaii travel insurance plans is what you'd look for in just about any travel vacation insurance - protection against the unexpected travel tragedy excluding medical emergency.

Hawaii travel insurance would be great to have in a number of instances. For example, if you booked a cruise and the cruise line went out of business. If they went belly up, bankrupt, shut down, and can't take their cruise ships out of port you would be there holding your bags quite literally and an expensive but useless ticket for your cruise.

You are only going to get your money back in one of two ways. If you don’t have travel insurance coverage, you would have to go to bankruptcy court. In this instance often only the first few creditors, if any, are reimbursed. If you were one of them you would get your money back. Don't count on it! The other reimbursement alternative for reimbursement of that ticket for your cancelled trip is Hawaii travel insurance. You would simply file and claim and voila, money back to you without a problem.

Another protection you would want coverage for by your Hawaii travel insurance is if your trip should be delayed. Perhaps your flight is cancelled or delayed for bad weather and you're not home but instead at an airport where you need to change planes on a connection, or you might still be in Hawaii and trying to get back home. Often in these occurrences there is no immediate remedy and you might be stuck at your location a day or two. You would need a hotel stay, food and transportation to and from the airport to the hotel. In this day and age, the airlines rarely cover this, the right Hawaii travel insurance would.

What if your luggage is delayed, or worse yet lost or stolen? What are you going to wear? Who is going to give you the money to buy it? Again, this is what Hawaii travel insurance could cover.

What if you or another member of your travel party are in Hawaii and taken ill and require the care of your own physician? What if someone back home is gravely ill or passes away and you must return immediately? If you've purchase a restricted or non-refundable ticket you're not going to be able to change your return schedule. It would be very expensive to fly home last minute. Where would this money come from? Hawaii travel insurance can cover for such emergencies.

Clearly, Hawaii travel insurance could be a financial and stress-related lifesaver in time of vacation emergency. If considering a trip to the beautiful islands, remember a small investment in such trip insurance coverage could pay off big in the long run.

About The Author

Steve Cogger, an active traveler, has developed 1 Happy Traveller a website for your convenience. Visit today for all of your travel insurance needs.

Mauna Kea in Hawaii - Driving to the Summit of this Grand Volcano

Mauna Kea in Hawaii - Driving to the Summit of this Grand Volcano
by: Steven Anderson

The summit of Mauna Kea is called Puu Wekiu and it is at an elevation of 13,796 feet. This is the highest point of land in the Pacific Basin. An interesting fact about Mauna Kea is that if measured from the bottom of the ocean floor, it reaches nearly 30,000 feet which would make it the tallest peak on earth.

Visitors flock to Mauna Kea for a variety of reasons. There are 11 domes and 13 telescopes at the peak of Mauna Kea which attracts professional and amateur astronomers alike. Others come for the amazing viewpoints, unique bird watching and rugged hiking. Others come to Mauna Kea just to say they did so.

The drive up Mauna Kea takes about an hour. At the start, the driver will see typical Hawaiian tropical vegetation. As you pass sea level, the landscape changes to grass pastures and then into raggedy looking forests of koa and ohia trees. These thin out at 6,000 feet and the landscape becomes dominated by barren lava flows. The sub alpine regions found after the 6,500 foot level still support a few koa and ohia trees and even the rare mamane tree. All vegetation beyond 8,500 feet becomes very scarce.

The mountain is home to some excellent bird watching. The rare, yellow-crowned palila bird can be seen here. The endangered Hawaiian honey-creeper can be seen here as well. This bird only feeds on the seed pods from the scarce mamane tree. Less rare, but still interesting birds such as the uau (Hawaiian petrels), nene (Hawaiian geese), io (Hawaiian hawks) can also be seen on Mauna Kea.

The first step to reaching Mauna Kea is to drive Saddle Road (Route 200). This road is listed as off-limits by many of the car rental agencies. Thrifty will allow its rental cars on saddle road but advises against this practice. The roads are narrow with little or no shoulders and there are no emergency phones on this route should you encounter a problem.

You take the turn off from Saddle Road to Hale Pohaku and the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy Visitor Information Station. This leg lasts 7 miles and takes the traveler to 9,300 feet. This section can be driven by a normal car but it does feature very steep and windy roads. If you are driving a Thrifty rental car, the Visitor Center is as far as you are allowed to go. Harper's Car and Truck Rental (harpershawaii.com) does rent vehicles for the exact purpose of getting from the Visitor Center to the observatory.

Please remember to bring warm clothing on this journey. Even in the summer temperatures can reach the low 40s. Also make sure to fill up the gas tank before you go. The steep grade and thin air pushes the car into very poor gas mileage and there is nowhere to fill up at the top.

About The Author

Steven Anderson is the Reservations Director for Hawaiian Discount Car Rentals, specialists in Maui car rentals. He has personally driven to the top of Mauna Kea and rates it as one of the most panoramic views in his travels to Hawaii. Please visit Hawaii Drive O.

webmaster@hawaiidrive-o.com

Best of Hawaii: Itinerary Ideas for the Traveler

Best of Hawaii: Itinerary Ideas for the Traveler
by: Anitra Pickett

Want to do specific activities in Hawaii but have no idea which island has the best of the best? Use these lists to get ideas and helpful tips about the best surfing, scuba diving, exotic beaches, and much more!

This article is designed to help you choose which Hawaiian islands to visit if you have a particular activity in mind. Granted, it wouldn't be a stretch to say that all the 6 major islands of Hawaii have all of these activities in one shape or form. We have used a mixture of popular opinion and our own personal research and experiences for compiling these lists. An “(s)” indicates it may only be available during certain seasons. Remember to always check conditions & availability, especially for water activities.

Best Nightlife
1. Oahu - Waikiki
2. Maui - Lahaina
3. Big Island - Kailua Kona

Best Hiking
1. Kauai - Na Pali Coast (s)
2. Kauai - Waimea Canyon
3. Big Island - Mt. Kilauea

Best Surfing (Advanced) (s)
1. Oahu - North Shore
2. Kauai - Hanalei Bay
3. Maui - Honolua Bay

Best Surfing (Beginner) (s)
1. Oahu - Waikiki
2. Kauai - Kalapaki Beach
3. Maui - Launiupoko Park

Best Scuba Diving
1. Maui - Molokini
2. Maui or Lanai - Lanai Coast
3. Big Island - West Coast

Best Windsurfing / Kite Surfing (s)
1. Maui - Hookipa Beach Park (advanced)
2. Maui - Kanaha Beach (beginner)
3. Oahu - Kailua Beach

Best Snorkeling
1. Oahu - Haunama Bay
2. Maui - Kaanapali (Black Rock)
3. Kauai - Lydgate Beach & Tunnels

Best Shopping
1. Oahu - Aloha Market & Waikiki
2. Maui - Lahaina
3. Big Island - Kailua Kona

Best Nude Sunbathing
1. Maui - Little Beach in Makena
2. Big Island - many locations
3. Kauai - Secret Beach in Kilauea

Best Exotic Beaches
1. Maui - Red Sand Beach (Hana)
2. Big Island - Punaluu Black Sand Beach
3. Big Island - Mahana Green Sand (s)

Best Nature Experiences
1. Kauai - Na Pali Coast
2. Big Island - Kilauea Volcano
3. Maui or Lanai - whale watching (s)

For even more “Best of Hawaii” lists, visit: http://www.gladtravel.com/HI-info/bestofhawaii.aspx.

About The Author

Anitra Pickett is CEO of GLAD Travel. Gladtravel.com (http://www.gladtravel.com) is an advanced online search and booking engine for accommodation in the Hawaiian Islands. The website features 1000+ budget lodging options, all for $99 or less per night. GLAD Travel encourages authentic, adventurous, and responsible travel for the independent and budget-oriented traveler.

Favorite Maui Luaus

Favorite Maui Luaus
by: Andrew Crawford

For any visitor to Maui, taking in a luau is an absolute must. Luaus are the most popular activity in Maui, attracting several hundred thousand visitors every year. If you are traveling as a couple, as a group, as a family or as an individual, a Maui luau offers something for everyone to enjoy. A luau offers a full evening of fun, food, drinks and entertainment, all rolled into one fun activity.

A luau is a traditional Hawaiian feast, typically featuring kalua pork, poi, haupia and other local favorites. Historically, a luau celebrated special occasions such as a king’s birthday, visits from foreign dignitaries or to honor an important chieftain. These parties often lasted for three days featuring dancing, drinking, eating and singing. Today there are many commercial luaus to choose from, where you can be treated like a king yourself.

There is not a bad luau on Maui, so whatever luau you choose, you will have a good time. That said, there are three Maui luaus, which will be reviewed here. They are The Old Lahaina Luau, The Feast at Lele and The Ka’anapali Beach Luau. These three luaus represent the best a luau can offer, depending on what you are looking for.

If you are looking for a traditional Hawaiian experience, The Old Lahaina Luau is the way to go. Featuring only music and dance from Hawaii, this luau will take you on a tour of Hawaii from the times of mythology to the present. The goal of The Old Lahaina Luau is to provide the most authentic Hawaiian luau available on Maui. They achieve this without sacrificing any of the other great things you might expect from a luau. The food is abundant and very tasty as well. Sample from kalua pork, lau laus (steamed pork wrapped in tea leafs), poi (taro root pounded to a paste), ahi poke (marinated ahi tossed with seaweed and vegetables), sweet potato, steak, mahi mahi and much more. Be sure to try some of the excellent tropical drinks provided with your dinner or order your favorite standards from the bar. The Old Lahaina Luau is one of Maui’s most popular luaus and is often sold out up to a month or more in advance so it is best to book as soon as you know you will be coming to Maui. You can book this luau through Maui Luau Guide, which also provides more info at www.mauihawaiiluau.com/oldlahainaluau.html.

For the honeymooning couple or any couple looking for a more private and romantic evening, consider the Feast at Lele. The feast is the only Maui luau offering table service for dinner. The approach here is much different from any other Maui luau. A premium bar is featured, and the food is served in courses, and offers some of the finest food you may eat during your entire vacation. The meals are prepared by award winning I’o restaurant and each course represents a different culture of Polynesia. Dinner begins in Hawaii with kalua pork, fresh fish and a heart of palm salad. The second course is from New Zealand and features Maori fishcake, while the third course represents Tahiti and features steamed chicken in coconut milk. Closing out the night, is an amazing fire knife dance from Samoa performed right before you, as you are served Samoan steak with a bread fruit, shrimp and avocado accompaniment. You will be entertained as each course is served, by the dances and songs of the island culture the dish hails from. This luau is often booked to capacity as well, and it would be suggested to book as early as possible. Tickets and more info about The Feast at Lele Maui luau are available at www.mauihawaiiluau.com/feastatlele.html.

Families visiting Maui may find that the Ka’anapali Beach Luau is the perfect fit. In addition to the traditional luau buffet which serves kalua pork, mahi mahi, lomi lomi salmon, poi, island style chicken, sweet potato and much more, there is a children’s buffet featuring comfort foods such as chicken fingers, hot dogs and pizza for the finicky eater. The Kaanapali Beach Luau will feature all the dances you would expect, taking a tour through Polynesia, featuring Hawaiian hula, Maori stick fight dances, Tahitian war dances, a little Elvis and a little Don Ho, and of course a death defying fire knife dance to end out the nigh! This luau comes recommended not only based on the great food, drink and show, but also on value. At www.mauihawaiiluau.com/kaanapalibeachluau.html you can book this luau for $49.95 per adult with one free child (12 or under) per paying adult. This luau is also located very conveniently, right in the heart of Ka’anapali!

You can expect to pay between $50 and $110 per person depending on what luau you choose, but no matter which you choose you will be treated to a wonderful evening with plenty of food, an open bar and a great show to entertain you. Be sure to bring your camera or video to preserve the memories, as a Maui luau is an experience you will never forget. For more information on any of these luaus as well as every other luau on Maui, check out www.mauihawaiiluau.com a complete guide to luaus on Maui.

About The Author

Andrew Crawford has lived in Maui for about 7 years, working in and around the Maui Activities field. He currently manages several websites, including www.mauihawaiiluau.com. He invites you to come see the magic that is Hawaii.

View their website at: Maui Hawaii Luau.

frogmanandy@yahoo.com